The Downtown Memphis Commission hosted Parking Day for the first time since 2017 on Friday, with three themed mini parks. 

Opponents of an “occupation” by National Guard troops in the city and Republicans backing the arrival of the Guard both rallied to their cause Thursday in the city.

See The Daily Memphian’s full coverage of the Memphis Safe Task Force

Memphis Mayor Paul Young said the National Guard will not be doing any detainment. 

Les Smith worked at four Memphis television stations. ‘He is truly one of the city’s great journalists.’ Memorial service plans have been made.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., asked FBI Director Kash Patel about the Memphis Safe Task Force, which President Donald Trump established Monday.

See The Daily Memphian’s full coverage of the Memphis Safe Task Force 

County Commissioners got their first look at two resolutions offering different responses to the coming deployment of National Guard troops to the city. 

Four designs will be displayed on the Main Street Mall and will highlight and celebrate the city’s identity.

MLGW previously considered moving the utility’s headquarters to the same building, but backed off on that plan. 

The City Council could vote on the resolution, so far backed by a group of council members, at its meeting next week. It is not binding on Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.

Many residents in the Midtown and Downtown area were left with no power when an MLGW substation caught fire.

Gov. Bill Lee described the Memphis Safe Task Force as a “long-time” mission that could last six months or longer.

The EDGE resolution includes “solar as an eligible use of property.”

“This task force will be a replica of our extraordinarily successful efforts here (in Washington D.C.), and you’ll see it’s a lot of the same thing (in Memphis),” the president said. 

A “threat to democracy” vs. making Memphis “the most safe city in America,” area leaders give their thoughts on what the National Guard deployment can mean for the city. 

The city argues that there’s nothing in its charter that gives city employees the right to collectively bargain as a union. 

Buddy Chapman led the police department in 1978, when the National Guard came as police and fire strikes left the city burning. This time, he says, it’s different.

Related content: 

Full coverage: The National Guard is coming to Memphis

Also happening this week: Beale Street celebrates B.B. King’s 100th birthday, the city’s first Southern Trans Celebration brings advocacy Downtown.

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that it would not stay a trial court’s decision while the City of Memphis appeals a decision in the lawsuit between the city and the Memphis Police Association. 

Gov. Bill Lee’s call with President Donald Trump followed the president’s Friday morning announcement on Fox News that he would send the guard to Memphis.

The arrival of National Guard troops in Memphis is the most rigorous test yet of Mayor Paul Young’s strategy for working with Republicans at the state and federal levels in the Tennessee’s bluest city.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young pointed to three things Friday, Sept. 12, he believes have reduced crime in light of the announcement that President Donald Trump would send the National Guard to the city.

Chief C.J. Davis will remain the city’s top law enforcement officer when the National Guard arrives, Davis and Memphis Mayor Paul Young said Friday.

“I did not ask for the National Guard, and I don’t think it’s the way to drive down crime. However, that decision has been made,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young said.

“If (Trump) will say ... after the National Guard leaves and tells the world that Memphis is the safest city in the world, Donald come on,” U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen said Friday.